Economic connections are often considered the foundation of Indonesia-Japan ties but the journeys of citizens from both countries demonstrate that cultural exchanges have the potential to bring the countries even closer together.

At a gym in a 4-star hotel, Neglasari Martini, a Jakartan, vigorously practices kendo, a Japanese traditional martial art, with her friends under the tutelage of a Japanese sensei (teacher).

Reflecting the notion that kendo is a way of life, not just simply a way of building stamina, Martini sits in a seiza posture and seeks technical advice after the training session is complete.

With the typical exposure to Japanese anime and drama, she used to be just like many other Indonesian university students.

However, when she saw a kendo demonstration by a veteran Japanese martial artist at a cultural festival, her life was changed forever. Fascinated by the formality of its movements and postures, she entered the world of the “way of the sword”.

Today, 15 years later, she is the captain of Indonesia’s national team and is preparing for the World Kendo Championship in South Korea in September.

“I like kendo because it helps me grow as a person,” she told The Jakarta Post, adding that kendo had helped her overcome her previous insecure and shy nature.

Reflecting, Martini said she had once become confused and frustrated about not being able to achieve an ippon (the highest score awarded in Japanese martial arts contests) and even shed tears, but her sensei advised to keep going to push through the barriers she faced. “[Even] outside the dojo, I [now] feel more confident,” she said

Yoshinobu Kubo, a 6th level dan (black belt) and the team’s head coach, said he had learned a lot while teaching in Indonesia.

He said he needed to hit the books to work out how to explain the culture, history and manners of kendo to Indonesians in a concise way, adding that he admired the enthusiasm shown by Indonesian beginners.

“Some save money to travel to Japan in search of true kendo,” he said.

Beginning in the 1990s, the journey to developing local kendo communities is far from complete. According to the 40-year-old sensei, kendo equipment, such as armor and bamboo swords, were scarce.

Kudo said with a wry smile that he “delivered” several requested uniforms and swords after returning from his most recent trip to Japan.

Kendo communities in Indonesia survive on donations from Japanese companies and the Japanese Embassy.

The warm feeling shared between the two countries, which will celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations this year, can be felt at a school in Pondok Aren, on the southwestern outskirts of Jakarta.

Kayoko Tachibana, vice principal of the Jakarta Japan School (JJS), explained that these amicable bilateral relations were the foundation of the school’s “smooth operations”.

The JJS, which consists of elementary and middle school classes, has operated for 49 years.

At one time, the school enjoyed a rapid hike in student numbers thanks to a boom in Japanese businesses in Indonesia. At other times, however, it has been affected by anti-Japanese riots and more recently large-scale political protests.

Azumi Naruse, a young English teacher at the JSS, said her students, who typically lived in Indonesia with their expatriate parents, tended to hold prejudice toward Indonesia based on Japanese media portrayals of Indonesia as a conservative Islamic country, but that as they stayed longer in Indonesia, their impressions of the country improved.

“I hope [graduating students] can share what they have learned about Indonesia with their friends so that knowledge can spread across Japan.”

Naruse’s connection with Indonesia began when she was a university student and volunteered in Mojokerto, East Java, to help build bridges and school libraries for a month.

The Nagoya native was amazed by the values held by the villagers, including their generosity and that they were so willing to forgive and say “it’s okay” when others made mistakes.

Ever since, she has become more and more absorbed in the archipelagic nation. While warung (small stall) food is prohibited by the school because of health concerns, her favorite Indonesian food has always been gorengan (fritters), in particular those made from singkong (cassava) and tempeh.

— The writer is an intern at The Jakarta Post

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